The Keeper of the Key

This book, which has a fantastic cover, is a great introduction for YA readers to the gothic horror/haunted house genre. Morgan House is super creepy and there are some great haunting scenes in this one. Also has a great lesson to just tell the freaking truth to people and don’t be a jerk, unlike all of the male characters in this book. Fast read, spooky fun.

Nicole Willson’s *The Keeper of the Key* is a masterful contemporary Gothic novel that blends supernatural elements with domestic horror, creating a suspenseful and chilling read that keeps you on edge. Following the success of her Bram Stoker Award-nominated *Tidepool*, Willson delivers a gripping narrative that dives deep into themes of trust, control, and the eerie unknown.

The story centers around sixteen-year-old Rachel, whose life is upended when her mother decides to move into Morgan House, an old and dilapidated mansion owned by her mother’s boyfriend, Geoff. The transition from her familiar life and friends to the isolation of St. Mary, Virginia, is a difficult adjustment for Rachel. Her reluctance is compounded by Geoff’s stringent rules, particularly his inexplicable prohibition against entering the basement.

Morgan House itself is a character in its own right—creepy and enigmatic, with a dark history that Rachel begins to uncover. The mansion’s sinister nature manifests in strange and terrifying ways, with Rachel experiencing nightmarish visions and being inexplicably drawn to the forbidden cellar. The haunting imagery and foreboding atmosphere created by Willson are particularly effective, enhancing the novel’s Gothic tone.

Rachel is a compelling protagonist, characterized by her bravery and determination. Her struggle to adapt to her new life, coupled with her growing curiosity about the house's dark secrets, drives the narrative forward. Willson crafts Rachel’s journey with depth and emotional resonance, making her confrontation with the supernatural elements of Morgan House both personal and poignant.

The tension in *The Keeper of the Key* is skillfully built, with each revelation adding layers to the mystery of the mansion and its connection to Rachel’s visions. The plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, maintaining a relentless pace that keeps readers eagerly turning pages. The tragic events that unfold further intensify the sense of dread, leading to a climax that is both surprising and satisfyingly eerie.

Willson’s writing is atmospheric and evocative, with a knack for creating vivid and unsettling imagery that lingers long after the book is closed. The juxtaposition of the mundane and the supernatural is handled with finesse, ensuring that the Gothic elements enhance rather than overshadow the emotional and psychological depth of the story.

*The Keeper of the Key* is a haunting and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to fans of Gothic horror and psychological suspense. Nicole Willson has crafted a narrative that is both chilling and engaging, with a fierce heroine and a chillingly atmospheric setting. This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys their horror with a side of deep emotional impact and a touch of the supernatural.

I’m not big on teen/young adult books anymore but there was something about the synopsis of this book that really pulled me in. In The Keeper of the Key we meet Rachel, a 16 year old who is being dragged out of her town to go live with her mom’s new boyfriend in a big creepy house. The thing is, it’s not just any house; Rachel hears, sees and feels paranormal entities that won’t leave her alone.
The writing felt very eery and magical at the same time. It was extremely easy to follow the story along, especially because the author keeps playing with the readers curiosity to find out what’s happening inside the house.
I feel like some readers might find Rachel a tad bit annoying but her way of thinking and doing things felt extremely real. The character resembles a real life teenage girl and i could feel my inner 16 year old relating to Rachel a lot.
The story in itself is very interesting. We learn more about the town, the people and the house as the book takes us on a spooky ride. I would’ve enjoyed it more if the horror aspect shined a bit more, some scenes felt a bit bland and repetitive, but i can understand the decision - after all, it’s meant to be read and enjoyed by teens too.
I definitely recommend The Keeper of the Key to gothic horror fans who want something a little tamer but still fun nonetheless.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher Parliament House Press on Net Galley. To me this book is suitable for ages 13-16 or above if you are into these types of books. This was my first “horror” book I’ve read. It wasn’t really scary but it was definitely different. The book references Rachel resembling Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice and that reference followed me during the entire read. I feel like this book was inspired by Beetlejuice. Rachel seems like your average immature 16 year old girl that has been through tragedies that not many face at the ripe age of 16. She definitely has unresolved issues that are present throughout the book that are most noticeable with the way she treats and speaks with others. Based on the description of the book, while reading you will make inferences about what is going to happen. But I can tell you, you will be wrong. I was definitely wrong and was not expecting what happened. Give this book a read and see if you would like to visit Morgan House.

There's just something about a gothic YA book that always pulls me in! This gave me sort of Wednesday vibes which I loved and Beetlejuice (the main character even looks like Winona). This book is just very spooky and immersive. I love the writing style, the setting and the characters. I definitely want to reread this one during Spooktober to get all the vibes!

I'll admit - I wasn't expecting to get as sucked into this as I did, but this was a single=sitting book for me. A mystery centered on a Gothic house with a suspicious female protagonist? Immediate yes.

Rachel finds herself moving in with her mom and her mom's new boyfriend after the death of her father, and there's just something not right about the house they've moved in to. It's ancient and creaky, and for some reason Geoff - her mother's boyfriend - has the basement absolutely off limits. At the same time Rachel is trying to find her footing in a new town with new friends, like Nick, while trying to understand the strange things that keep happening in the house and the news of young women who have gone missing over the last few years.

I physically couldn't put my Kindle down once i started this book because I had to understand what was going on - the writing was enthralling, and I thought I knew exactly where the story was going when it turned my expectations back on myself with a plot twist. Nicole Willson absolutely knows how to create tension and draw out suspicion, and I really enjoyed their writing style...it very much reminded me of An Inspector Calls. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good mystery/haunted house/Haunting of Hill House-type story, and I can't wait to read more of their work.

-spoilers contained in this review- This was a great book that really surprised me! In the first half I felt like there was more telling than showing in the way it was written. It improved as the book progressed. I wish that the FMC’s first kiss was more believable. I automatically knew something was up with Nick just with how awkward it was. I also already knew the house would get burnt down when she took a mental note of the gas and matches randomly in the basement, so I would omit that. Otherwise a fantastic read. I love how real all the characters are. Their flaws are top notch. The parent teenage struggle is relatable and this book made me feel like I was a teenager again. Props to the author for making a wonderful book that I could not put down until I finished it! That says a lot and it doesn’t happen very often.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

WOW! What a great book! This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Great writing style! My first by this author but will not be my last!

Loved this book. I usually do not read horror book but this book had me wanting to continuing to read .For me, I live in Maryland so enjoyed seeing towns/cities I recognized. Morgan House, it not a house I would want to stay by myself. The twists and events in the book had me captured and I just wanted to know what goes going on.

This book was a great time if I'm honest. I love a good haunted house story and this delivered on every aspect of the horror genre I love. The twists and turns caught me off guard and kept me on my toes and even though I guessed a few plot points the ending took me by surprise. I think any person who has a parent getting into a new relationship will see themselves in Rachel and I just had a great time overall with her character.

Really, really enjoyed this one. The setting was great - sad small town with secrets, secluded, old and creepy house. I also liked our main character, 16-year old Rachel. Sure, her relationship with Nick is super superficial and insta-love. But I didn't mind this at all, when normally I hate romances like this. In this case it seems very believable, since Rachel is only 16 years old, sad and angry, moving to a new town where she knows no one.
Now the horror...haunted house, gothic vibes, unexplainable nightmares and sleepwalking, her mom's creepy new boyfriend and a basement with a dark secret. It really creeped me out but I also could not stop reading, this was a one sitting book for me and I had a lot of fun. Definitely recommend!

The Keeper of the Key is such a good story. I rated this story 4 stars because I couldn't put it down for a second the whole time. I truly recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can.

Thank you so much to Parliament House Press, NetGalley, and Nicole Willson for this ARC. I really enjoyed this novel—if you love a good haunted house book with semi-annoying characters, then I would recommend.

So at first I thought I would hate this book b/c the mom and boyfriend totally brought out the angry teen in me. They were so obnoxious in how they didn’t seem to listen to how Rachel felt and were more concerned with their own happiness and creating a life together. I would get so frustrated on her behalf b/c no one cared about how she felt about all the changes that were happening and whether or not she was happy.

As the story progressed, it got more interesting. Grandma was definitely cool and the new boyfriend seemed okay, but I wasn’t 100% sure about him. And mom seemed to be making more of an effort to listen to Rachel, which I appreciated. The story didn’t evolve the way I expected and I liked that. I was surprised by what was really down in the basement and why she seemed to be haunted by something dark and sinister. Overall, a solid paranormal Ya book that I think a lot of teens will enjoy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This would make a fun spooky movie.

A fast paced YA haunted house story, The Keeper of the Key sits at a very balanced spot between classic and subversive, not really bringing in ideas out of the ordinary but developing them in an original, satisfying way.

A very subjective issue I had with a part of the plot:
Throughout the novel, we’re in a bad situation and want to get out of there. The issue is that, instead of a real thing stopping the characters from leaving, we have them just decided to keep going. Are the decisions understandable? Maybe. But in this very specific plot, there were multiple moments where we were give out and no one took them (MC’s mother tells her that if she doesn’t want to, they don’t have to move; tells her she will call off the engagement if MC wants her to, etc.).‘’I’ll do this to keep my mom happy’’ is not enough when we’re dealing with a shady guy and very obviously shit house. It stressed me out in a non-thrilling, but annoying way. I would have much rather have external circumstances that prevented the characters from leaving, be them supernatural or not, instead of reading the ‘’oh well, guess I’ll have to pretend I’m okay with this’’ monologue time and time again.

However, it ''redeems'' itself as the events of the 70% go on.

The characters are not the most developed but I don't expect them to be in a less-than-300 page book; they're good enough, and the teenager we follow is both a... well, dumb teen, and the ill-mannered voice of reason I like to have as a main character.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Parliament House Press, for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Rachel's world gets turned upside down when her mother and Geoff, her mother's boyfriend, announce a sudden move to Geoff's house. He and the main character do not get along, and the sinister house does not help. Especially when it seems like the house itself wants Rachel gone.

The premise of this book got me hooked. I love family drama and haunted houses, and the combination was right up my alley. The book was fast-paced, really easy to read and digest, perfect for teens who want a light, slightly creepy read. The horror aspects were very light, and the mystery was very well maintained throughout the story. It kept me invested throughout the whole book.

I feel the need, however, to criticise two things: the repetiveness of Rachel's "night problems" in the first half of the book and the pace of the relationship. I do understand the need for both of them, as they were part of the plot construction, but, personally, I was slightly bothered.

Overall, the book was very fun and enjoyable! 4 stars from me!

This book, honestly, took a turn that I was not expected, but was easy enough to put together once the pieces fell into place. But with an intro excerpt from the story of Bluebeard, I thought I knew exactly what I was getting into, and I was pleasantly surprised that that wasn’t the case, when all was said and done.

As thankful as I am that I decided to push through the lull this book experienced at about a quarter in, I wish that The Keeper of the Key got to its point quicker. If it had, this certainly had the potential to be an out of the park 5-star read. But because it didn’t, I feel that the overall ambiance and impact of the book suffered as a result.

What most interested me about this book in particular was the allure of a gothic fiction novel that rested as the unique intersection of gothic and young adult. Gothic fiction having a reputation for being willing to go places that would certainly not be suitable in your average young adult novel, I was curious to see how those themes would playout for a reading population that typically wasn’t the target.

The overall composition of the book was very easy to follow and digest. The writing teetering between typical fiction prose and something otherworldly, which further contributed to the experiences that Wilson was no doubt seeking to elicit throughout the journey into Morgan House and its surrounding township. The issue is that the blurred line between showing and telling became a tad obvious in points of the story where things were often explained outright rather than built up to and experienced wholly by the reader. In this way, a lot of the reactions felt manufactured rather than organic when they arose.

Similarly, it also contributed to a phenomenon where you likely could have skipped several pages in between each one read and still completely understand the story and what happened to our protagonist, Rachel, as she sought to uncover what it was being hidden with Morgan House’s walls.

Rachel, herself, is also a bit insufferable in the way she goes about things, but this can largely be chalked up to her being sixteen years old, which further emphasizes her naivete to a world she thinks she understand, as well as her petulance when things aren’t exactly how she herself thinks they need to be. There were several moments where I, myself, had to remind myself that Rachel was only sixteen, as there were several instances where it read to me like she was intended to be written as an adult with fully formed experiences.

The several horror scenes that did occur were interesting, until they became repetitive. In truth, these scenes when analyzed together gave away the twist of the book long before it was actually revealed and thus made the reveal a bit lackluster, even if some elements of it were interesting.

Beyond Rachel herself, the rest of the characters are fully fleshed out and thus feel wholly secondary to the protagonist and the house that sits and represents the edifice of her ire and curiosity both.

Overall, I wouldn’t say that The Keeper of the Key was a bad book, per se, but it was lacking something that I had gone into it thinking would be there. I enjoyed what was given to me, though not quite as much as I would have liked. For this reason, I’m rating it 4 stars.

I do, however, recommend this book for individuals who like a darker plot in their young adult fiction, for those that enjoy gothic fiction and gothic horror but would prefer to digest something a little more tame, and for individuals who enjoy a love story with a twist.

I also would like to thank NetGalley, Parliament House Press and Nicole Wilson for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Very well written YA gothic horror which kept engrossed throughout.

The writing style is effortless and flows beautifully. The description of the house and hauntings are atmospheric and creepy without being OTT.
The characters are pretty flushed out, yes there is a hint of the stereotypical bad relationship between the new step-parent and the kid, but it serves a large purpose and pushes the storyline. The 16 year old FMC is likeable and a typical teen, depicted through attitude and language, without it being condescending to the target audience.

Overall an enjoyable read that I would recommend

Thankyou to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Parliament press for the ARC for review

This was a good atmospheric gothic read. I really felt drawn into the story with all the horror happening in the house.

It has a lot of twists and turns.

If you are looking for a book to read into the night under the covers - this one is for you.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this ARC. All opinions are my own

The Keeper of the Key initially caught my eye because who does love haunted houses? But it's so much more than that; it's about a girl and her struggles. Rachel has had a rough couple of months, having to deal with her father's death, her mother moving on from her father, and her mom's new boyfriend, Geoff. Rachel and Geoff from the start never seem to be on the right page, both disliking each other for different reasons. When her mother announces that they are moving into Geoff's house, away from her whole life, Rachel loathes him and his house even more. The house even seems to not like her either; she starts having intense nightmares and waking up in strange places that are impossible to get to sleep walking. But there is no other excuse for that behavior until there isn't. Meanwhile, Rachel tries to find good things within the new town; there isn't much but a boy, Nick. They start to get close, forming a relationship, learning about each other, and figuring things out for herself. Nicole Wilson writes a great young adult horror/gothic novel with twists and turns that are never expected. This book kept me up at night wondering what was happening in the next chapters.

I enjoyed "The Keeper of the Key" right from the start, with its creepy ghost moments and gripping premise that kept me hooked. Although the villain felt a bit predictable and the ending didn’t quite live up to my expectations, it was still a fun read. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys modern Gothic YA horror.

The story follows 16-year-old Rachel, who reluctantly moves into a creepy mansion with her mom’s boyfriend, Geoff, who insists she stay out of the basement. As Rachel experiences terrifying visions tied to the house, especially after a family tragedy, she must uncover the truth before the house traps her forever.

Thank you Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial | Parliament House Press books for this ARC for review. This was a super fun and a bit creepy thriller. Rachel is 16yrs old and definitely DOES NOT want to move into a huge, creepy mansion with her mother's boyfriend< Geoff, and leave her friends and change schools. The only saving grace is that Rachel meets a guy named, Nick. He seems fun, even if he took her to a cemetery for their first date. Rachel continues to fight with Geoff, and she hears weird noises in the house. Then she starts seeing things that aren't really there, or are they? Is Rachel going to survive living in this house?

Rachel’s mum’s boyfriend is overbearing, with far too many rules, but Rachel can’t do anything to change her mum’s mind about them moving in with him. When Rachel moves to Morgan House, an hour away from her old life and everything that she knows, straightaway she experiences nightmares and horrific visions. The only saving grace of the move is Nick, a local guy who listens to Rachel and believes her.
Fast-paced and a great inclusion of so many gothic horror tropes alongside the intensity of being a teenager. This was a fun read!
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc.

YA gothic/horror/thriller
3.75 ⭐️
A suspenseful book with a creepy house at the center and mysterious and unusual happenings. At times the book reminded me of Starling House because of the focus on the house element and the house almost as a character itself. While I was interested in the plot, the characters were not as likable as I enjoy in my books. Overall, a fun and creepy read. Thank you NetGalley and Nicole Willson for the ARC!

As teens and young adults devour shows such as Wednesday and films like Beetlejuice are being revitalised for a new audience, a book like this is just perfect for right now. A pretty scary, gothic, haunted house mystery, where the floorboards creak, basement doors lock unexpectedly, and a creepy wannabe stepdad all combine to make a compelling YA read.

16 year old Rachel doesn't want to have to give up her old life to go and move with her mom to a creepy old house in the woods with her mom's new boyfriend. But she wants her mom to be happy and with her dyed black hair and penchant for wearing purple and black, with the occasional Cure t-shirt, many people think she'll be really happy in a big ole spooky house. But things get pretty terrifying pretty quickly, and with the help of the cute boy she meets in the bookshop in town, Rachel tries to solve the mystery of Morgan House.

I read this book in one sitting, it's a real page turner, and will be devoured by a teen audience.

Nicole did an excellent job writing this book. It had a good amount of tense moments, along with other light-hearted moments. It had very relatable content for young adults/older teens regarding relationships and family dynamics. After reading this book, I'm glad that I don't have basement😏 I enjoyed the book and would recommend to others.

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🔑✨ **The Keeper of the Key** by Nicole Willson ✨🔑

*A chilling blend of dark secrets, supernatural suspense, and a protagonist on the brink of unraveling the mysteries that could change everything.*

🌟🗝️ **Review:** 🗝️🌟

*The Keeper of the Key* by Nicole Willson is a haunting and atmospheric read, perfect for fans of gothic thrillers and supernatural suspense. Willson weaves together a dark and mysterious tale filled with eerie twists, making it impossible to put down. From the opening pages, the reader is drawn into a world where nothing is as it seems, and the line between reality and the supernatural is increasingly blurred.

The protagonist is deeply relatable, grappling with her own inner demons while confronting the sinister forces lurking in her life. Willson does an incredible job of creating a tense atmosphere, where each turn of the page reveals something more chilling than the last. The key itself becomes a powerful symbol throughout the novel, representing both the literal and metaphorical doors that the characters must unlock to uncover the truth.

The novel’s pacing is tight, the dialogue sharp, and the characters well-developed. The mystery unfolds gradually, allowing readers to piece together the puzzle along with the protagonist, making for a satisfying and immersive experience. Fans of gothic horror and supernatural suspense will particularly appreciate the dark, eerie setting and the psychological tension that runs throughout the book.

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🌟 **Highlights:** 🌟
- **Gothic Atmosphere**: Willson’s mastery of setting creates a dark and eerie tone that pulls readers into the heart of the mystery.
- **Supernatural Suspense**: A gripping, slow-burn mystery with supernatural elements that will keep readers on the edge of their seat.
- **Complex Protagonist**: The lead character’s journey is compelling, with her emotional depth adding a layer of relatability to the tension and thrills.

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💌 **Favorite Quote:**
*"The key isn’t just to unlock doors, but to unlock the secrets we hide deep within ourselves."* - A powerful line that encapsulates the novel's theme of self-discovery and hidden truths.

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🌟 **Rating:** 🌟
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

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*The Keeper of the Key* is a must-read for anyone who loves a good supernatural mystery with dark, gothic vibes. Nicole Willson delivers a haunting story filled with suspense, eerie twists, and a protagonist you’ll root for as she confronts both external and internal horrors.

See more reviews at:
<a href="https://www.caslareads.com">Casla Reads</a>

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Thank you Netgalley for the arc.

First of all wow this was perfect for spooky season! It was haunting and left me with chills. The MC was smart enough to realize something wasn't right with the house immediately and all signs pointed to the step dad so the twist at the end certainly crept up on you. I felt 16 again and feeling the fresh sting of first love. Mind you I didn't live in a haunted house. The familial dynamics was well written. Coming from someone who has a step family the trauma and conversations they all shared and their feelings really hit home for me. The mother daughter relationship was so raw and real. The step father adjusting to a family and navigating those dynamics was really interesting to read. Sometimes I forgot it was a spooky story I was swept up in the family drama.

When things got spooky they sure did. A mix of ghostly with a bit of grotesque horror but it wasn't overwhelming and definitely added to the story.

All in all it was a fantastic read. Highly recommend.

This book had me HOOKED from the first few pages. I have read Tidepool by Nicole Willson and absolutely adored it, I rated it 5 stars, and it’s one of my favourite books. So I was excited to see that she was bringing out a Gothic Haunted House story, as they’re one of my most beloved type of stories. This is a book that will keep you turning the pages, I was so captivated by what was going to happen next, and the writing really keeps you enthralled and wanting to read on. The way Geoff was written, with all the niggling remarks reaaaaaally made me dislike him, and I really enjoy when a book can give me an emotional response like that.

This is a young adult book, which I don’t often reach for and did so because I have loved the author’s previous work Tidepool. I think it would be both a perfect starter book for someone just getting into Horror or Gothic fiction, and an eerie, enthralling fun read for fans of the genre. There are some really beautifully written haunting scenes, and I LOVE how strong willed the women in this book are.

This is a Gothic Ghost Story that will keep you guessing and turning the pages.

Pick this up if you like: gothic haunted house stories for spooky season, strong gothic heroines and la Beetlejuice’s Lydia Deetz, eerie haunted houses, ultra creepy ghosts and haunting scenes.

My review will also be posted on my Instagram & TikTok, this book will also be featured in my Autumn TBR TikTok.
I have also rated this book on StoryGraph

Sixteen year old Rachel lives with her mother. Her father died three years ago- her perfect father who gave them the perfect, completed family. They are very quickly whisked away to mom’s boyfriend Geoff’s gothic manor, Morgan House. No th sooner than Rachel is told she is forced to immediately relocate to Morgan House, where she is instantly met with spooky shenanigans and mysterious footsteps. The creep factor right away puts you in a chokehold- a miserable sixteen year old, forced to leave her school and friends behind, fits so well with the gothic vibes already giving full front display.
Geoff is at times controlling, as he was raised by your typical 80s-90s parents- you must be seen and not heard, you must only dye your hair regular colors, etc. very old fashioned and not diminutive at all.
Nick is the towns “we are the weirdos, mister” and truthfully I found him so loathsome. So stereotypical, and even reminiscent of Geoff’s control issues and egomaniacal abilities. I think i would have rather had a new friend in town, someone to replace Elena’s role.
I liked the pacing- it was very easy to keep up, short chapters, simple enough timelines and character placement (it is a YA, after all). I really did not like the back and forth/ wishy washy nature of the mother making promises such as “we can leave, I don’t have to marry him!” That felt so out of place and just didn’t ring true, with the plot unwinding as it did.
I LOVED the design- cover and chapters- of this book! Truly a stellar job capturing the essence and colors of the spookiest month around. Truly an enjoyable read, and a wonderful place to begin my Ber months line up!

Thank you so much to the Parliament House Press and NetGalley for the Earc.

I am grateful to NetGalley for sending me the book's arc. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The narrative of Nicole Willson's "The keeper of the key" centers on sixteen-year-old Rachel, who must leave behind all of her old friends in order to move to a spooky gothic mansion owned by her mom's lover. Following her move, she continues to experience images of deceased women and eventually ends up in the basement, where a dark figure looms every day. However, the boyfriend of her mother has explicitly stated that the basement is off limits. The mother's boyfriend is a control freak who can't stop remarking on how she looks. In the hopes that her mother may decide to move out if she exposes him, Rachel searches for information. I kind of guessed the culprit but I never saw that plot twist coming. This is perfect for a spooky fall read.

Incredible. Read this in just one day, which is unusual for me. It gave me chills, frustration at boys (again) and made me genuinely curious for whats to come next.

Though the MC is only sixteen, she behaves very mature (very mindfull :)) and I related to her in many ways. I find it harder to read books about younger MC's as I grow older, but Rachel is written a lot more believable and not so childish. Know how you sometimes get ANNOYED when the MC makes an obvious wrong decision in horror novels/movies? Yeah, Rachel didn't do that. And somehow that made the story spookier!

The writing was nice and easy - there were no overly long poetic descriptions of the surroundings, but it did manage to create the spooky vibe very well. I am glad I read this during daytime... Also, the ending's a rollercoaster, and i'm here for it.

A perfect quick but chilling gothic read!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I enjoyed this way more then I thought I would. Usually, anytime I see pop culture references it's an immediate DNF, but I decided to stick it out and boy am I glad I did.

This was a fast paced ya gothic horror that I finished in a single sitting. The pacing if phenomenal, there wasn't a single dull or wasted moment. Though predictable, it still gave me a few twists I didn't expect. The setting was creepy and the strange happenings were described perfectly. I enjoyed every moment!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC for this book!

It was a little slow in some parts, but overall engaging enough to keep my attention to the end - and I’m glad I stuck it out! The twist was unexpected and it ended up being a great story.

Book review 📚
The Keeper Of The Key by Nicole Wilson
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Okay so this book is perfect for Halloween season, the spooky vibes that happen throughout are just perfect for this time of year.

Now, I don’t know if Wilson has done any other books, or if this is a debut but I will be finding out afterwards because her writing is PHENOMENAL. I actually can’t fault a single thing about her writing. She had me hooked from page one, she creates such a rich and atmospheric world where every single detail comes to life.

Rachel (FMC) is truly what made this book what it is. She’s only 16, but she’s a mature and sensible 16-year-old. She isn’t bratty, moody, or selfish. How struggles are so relatable and joining her on her journey is truly compelling.

For a YA book, it is absolutely fantastic and it kept me so entertained throughout, with both the good and the bad, along with the spooky!

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I am absolutely blown away by Nicole Willson's "The Keeper of the Key". At first, I really didn't think I would enjoy it. The main character is a 16-year-old who is VERY much a 16-year-old. The novel is incredibly fast-paced and at times I felt like there just wasn't enough attention given to certain events. But I made myself get out of my 32-year-old mindset and quit judging based on my current stage of life. And what a change.


The book follows 16-year-old Rachel who has her life uprooted when her mom decides to move in with her new boyfriend, Geoff. Geoff lives far away from Rachel's old city and friends, isolating her from her old life, and to make matters worse, his house is old and creepy. Rachel has never liked Geoff and once she moves in, her relationship becomes strained, at best. Not to mention, she begins to see horrific things and wakes up trapped in Geoff's basement at night. Rachel's only relief is her new boyfriend but something starts to seem off about him too.


There are so many good things to say about this book. First, the scenes where Rachel experienced supernatural events were genuinely creepy. It's been a long time since I've read a book that gave me chills but Willson succeeded. Second, Willson's take on hauntings was absolutely unique. It gets boring hearing the same old parlor tricks over and over. Cold spots here. Scratching noises there. This was not the case with The Keeper of the Key and thank goodness for that! It was such a breath of fresh air. My third and final praise for this book is that the plot twist at the end was an actual twist. Not knowing what would happen was such a wonderful treat!


Anyway, I could rant and rave about this book forever. Aside from it feeling a little rushed and sparse in some details, I HIGHLY recommend this book if you want a quick, fun read.

very fun and easy to read with a unique premise!! I really loved it and the main character had a strong personality.

Nicole Willson writes a deliciously spooky novel that had me gripped from the moment I picked it up. Haunted house horror is always so chilling to me, the idea that ghosts surround us is both hopeful and horrible. The feeling of being watched, hearing footsteps when no one is home, visions or apparition appearing from thin air! Our FMC is mostly unbelieved by the adults around her, forced to deal with personal trauma, and navigating a horror haunted house with just her wits and little pieces of information. I would rate this a 5-star but unfortunately the ending fell a bit flat for me. However, it does fit into the theme of YA so I won't hold it too much against this book. Overall, it was a thrilling read and I can't wait to revisit it come spooky season.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Nicole Willson for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Keeper of the Key coming out November 12, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own. .

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I’m obsessed with the dark, old house trope. I loved the writing. I thought there was a lot of mystery and suspense. It really held my interest. It was fast paced. I loved Rachel’s character. I thought she was smart and strong. I’d definitely read more books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys haunted house stories!